Eight arrested in connection to murder of 20-year-old Matthew Leary

Details surrounding who was involved in the killing of 20-year-old Matthew Leary are coming in quickly after authorities have spent the last month investigating the circumstances of the crime. Leary was found dead in the early morning hours of February 9, with what seemed to be a fatal gunshot wound in his head. Shots were fired in the 1200 block of Bayou Road, Cheneyville, Church Heights Apartments.

There was allegedly an altercation that Leary and multiple suspects were involved in before the latter contingent got into a vehicle and fled the scene.
Law enforcement apprehended a trio of individuals initially; 27-year-old Quantavius Jamar Richards, 25-year-old Aaron Demond Jones, and 23-year-old Diamante Swaizer. All three men have been charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice. Richards is also being charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of illegal use of a weapon.

While this would seem to have been a notable action taken by the authorities, the investigation revealed more individuals involved in the altercation that evening. Probable cause and warrants were solidified in order to arrest 20-year-old Liontraill Carneisha Williams, 27-year-old Charlette Williams, and 38-year-old Jolette Williams. All three parties in this group are being charged with obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and accessory after the fact.

Two additional arrests were made of 18-year-old Alyssa Jefferson and 22-year-old Mardarius Tyrell Taylor, who also received obstruction of justice charges. Jefferson was also charged with resisting arrest.

The sheriff’s office has indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further arrests could be made.

The Johnson Firm can be reached at (337) 433-1414 if you or someone you know is the victim of a violent crime.